Apparatus for automatically feeding the silver wire into the solution

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for positioning each of the many silver electrodes in the tank of solution such that arcing does not occur. This consists of a light or electromagnetic detector held in the tank of solution so as to be close to the point where the silver electrode comes in contact with the solution. When the silver electrode comes out of the solution such that an electrical arc occurs the detector observes this and sends a signal to the motor control. This signal is in turn sent to the gear head electric motor causing it to turn. This turning action causes the two pressure rollers to turn and move the silver wire, which is held between the rollers, down into the solution until the arcing stops.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,299.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Description of Prior Art

U.S. Pat. no. 6,214,299 issued to Robert J. Holladay, HerbertChristensen, and William Moeller, and assigned to American Silver LLC.Issued on Apr. 10, 2001. In this invention, referenced above, the silverelectrode must be positioned very near the surface of the solution toprevent it from drawing an electric arc. If an arc is generated thequality of the silver in solution is greatly diminished. It requiresconstant attention by the operator, manually turning a plastic extensionon the male threaded member to keep it positioned just right in thesolution. With many hundreds of male threaded members in the productionit becomes a very labor intensive operation.

2. The Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates to the positioning of the silver electrodenear the surface of the solution automatically rather than by handthrough the use of an electric eye, electric gear head motor andpressure rollers.

BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

This invention will automatically position the silver wire at theprecise position above the solution so that arcing will not occur. Nooperator is required to be in attendance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1, is a perspective view of the apparatus showing the electric eyedetecting the light from the spark when the silver wire comes out of thesolution. The electric gear head motor and the pressure rollers thatgrip and move the silver wire down into the solution. The electric gearhead motor turns these pressure rollers and moves the silver wire down.

FIG. 2 is a detailed description of the pressure rollers and how theyhold the silver wire.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawing, FIGS. 1 and 2 show an apparatus 10 forlowering a silver wire 11 down into the solution 12. The electric eye 14detects the light coming from the spark 13 caused by electric currentpassing between the solution 12 and the silver wire 11. This sends anelectrical signal via wires 16 to the control box 18 which in turn sendsa signal through wires 17 to the electric gear head motor 9. Thiselectric gear head motor 9 turns a shaft 8 which in turn turns a roller7. This roller 7, made of a non conducting material like plastic, ispressed tightly against roller 6 which is made out of a non conductingmaterial. Roller 7 has a core of hard rubber 5 which presses against thesilver wire 11. The other roller 6 is made of a non conductive materialand presses the silver wire 11 against the hard rubber of roller 7. Thisfriction holds the silver wire 11 tightly and the electric gear headmotor 9 lowers it into the solution 12 until the spark 13 stops.

A- An electric eye for detecting a spark B- An electric motor androllers for moving a wire down into a solution.